Numbering-machine.



UNITED STAT S- i atented September22, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. WIGHT AND CHARLES, SPIELMANN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW .YORK.

NUMBERiNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 739,369, dated September 22, 1903. Application filed September 27,1902. Serial No. 125.096. (NomodelJ Numbering-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Our present invention relates more particularly to consecutive-numbering typographic machines of the classin which the numberingwheels arranged in a suitable frame are actuated by pawls carried bya swinging frame pivoted in the frame and operated by a verticallyreciprocating plunger, the head of which is above the plane of the wheels and is depressed by the platen at each operation of the printing-press. In such machines some of the wheels are usually provided with what are called drop-ciphers to avoid printing non-significant ciphers in front of numbers. The actuatingplunger has heretofore been connected with the frame of the machine in such manner that it could not be detached therefrom Without removing the machine from the form or unlocking the form.

. One objectof our invention is to provide means whereby the plunger may be with-- The invention further comprises an we" proved construction of drop-cipher devices,

and a certain improvement in the spring of the retention-pawl of the units-wheel.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a'numbe'ring-machine embodying ou-r improvements. Fig. 2 shows a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bolt for detachably connecting the plunger with the machine. Fig. 3 shows a front elevation of the machine with some of the parts broken away. 'Fig. 4 shows a transversesection on the line 4 4. of Fig. .1. Fig. 5 shows a rear elevation of the machine. Fig. 6. shows'a central transverse section, with the "shaft in elevation, of the drop-cipher devices. "Fig. 7 shows the dropcipher block inv itselevated or printing position and in the printing-line. Fig. 8 shows it depressed and in the printing-line. Fig. 9 shows it in the position it assumes when the type-wheel is-moved beyond the printing-line and the cipher-block depressed, after which the wheel is moved back to the position-shown in Fig. 7. Fig.10 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the ratchet-wheel in place. Figs. 11 and 12 show slight modifications- Fig. 13 is a detail view showing one manner of detachably connecting side plates to the frame of the machine.

The numbering-wheels A are, with the ex-' ception of theirdrop-ciphers, of usual construction. They are mounted to revolve about a fixed shaftB and are actuated by pawls 0, carried by a swinging frame D in the usual manner. The wheels, shaft, and pawl-carrying frame are mounted in aframe E of usual construction, with theexceptions hereinafter designated. The numberingwheels above the units-wheel are controlled by pawls F, pivoted at their lower ends on a rod f, and at their upper ends they are formed with teeth engaging the teeth on the peripheries of the ratchet-wheels G, attached to the numbering-wheels. The pawlsare held yieldingly in engagement with'the ratchet-wheels by a series of spring-fingers f, formed integrally with a base-piece f arranged in a recess inthe base of the frame F. and firmly secured therein by screws f or other suitable devices. This is a common construction and serves well for the wheels above the units wheel; but as the latter is actuated oftener than the other wheels we have found that it will operate more efliciently if the controlling pawl thereof is provided with a spring of a difierent character from the othersi. e., one that will retain its elasticity for a longer time for a given amount of use and is applied symmetrically to the pawl to avoid twisting or torsional strain thereon. We accordingly provide the pawl which-engages the ratchet ,of the units-wheel with a wire spring H, the

two lower ends of which are wound around the rod f, with their ends resting against the base of the casing. The looped upper end of the spring engages a notchfh in the pawl of the"-un'its-wheel, (which is preferably made somewhat stouter and stronger than the others,) While the sides are parallel with" each other and'with the pawl, on opposite sides of which they lie. By this arrangement the units-wheel will have its movement controlled so that it will always stop at the right pointeven though the machine be constantly used for a long time, while the other wheels, which are not actuated so often, are sufficiently controlled by the pawls having the sheet-metal springs, which are simpler and easily removed together from the machine.

\Vhen placing the machine in the form, it is sometimes desirable to use some means on the opposite sides for spacing or positioning the machine. For this purpose We employ side plates I, formed with lugs 't', which engage grooves i, formed in-the sides of the end pieces of the frame. These grooves are undercut, and the lugs are inclined so as to prevent the plates from moving horizontally or endwise, but permits them to be moved vertically. The grooves extend from the top of the frame downward about half-way to the bottom. These grooves, which are on both sides of the case, may be at the extreme ends of the casing, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, or they may be located on the inner sides of the end pieces, as shown in Fig. 13, the lugs in the latter instance being formed on opposite sides of the central openings of the plates. The plates, it will be observed by reference to Fig. 2, extend slightly above the top surface of the main portion of the frame, but not, of course, above the printing-plane. They may, however, be readily taken hold of and withdrawn, if desired, and as readily dropped into place when needed.

The plunger J as usual, is arranged to move vertically in a guide-socket J in one end of the frame and is pressed upwardly by a spring J, shown in this instance as entering the hollow stem of the plunger. I-Ieretofore in machines of this class the plunger is so connected with the machine that it cannot be detached therefrom when the machine is locked in a form. The head of the plunger, as is well understood, usually contains some design, letter, or abbreviation, such as No., which sometimes it is desired to change. To do this, it has been necessary to remove the machine from the form. According to our invention we provide devices which while confining the plunger in operative position when locked in a form permit of its being readily detached when desired. The simplest and best means for this purpose that we have devised is to provide a bolt K, movable in ways in the top of the end of the frame and entering a slot 7." in the stem of the plunger. The guide-opening Z, in which the bolt slides, has at its base lateral grooves l to receive the flanges Z on the bottom of the bolt, thus preventing the bolt from moving vertically, while allowing it to slide horizontally. The inner end of the bolt is formed with aportion K, adapted to enter the slot k, as indicated in Fig. 2, and near which the bolt is provided on its upper side with a lug 1), adapted to enter a recess 1) in the under side of the head of the plunger. The top of the lug 19 is inclined and may engage the outer edge of the recess 13. If the jars to which the machine is subjected when in operation tend to cause movement of the bolt away from the plunger, the edge of the recess strikes the in.- clined top of the bolt and keeps it in position.

In order to provide some friction, so that the bolt may not accidentally be displaced, alight spring R is arranged in a recess just below that in the operation of the machine the plun- 8o ger may be actuated as often as desired without displacing the bolt, and the upward movement of the plunger is limited by the-bolt in the manner indicated in Fig. 2. Should it be desired to remove the plunger, the bolt may be moved outwardly and the plunger withdrawn. The arrangement is such that the bolt is automatically shot into place as soon as the plunger is depressed to its full extent, as in the act of printing. means of the lug p with its inclined upper end. If the bolt is not shot when the plunger comes down, the outer edge of the slot 12 will engage the inclined top of the lug and cause the bolt to be shot home. is connected with the swinging frame D by means of a slot-and-pin connection S, as usual and as indicated clearly in Fig. 4.

The objects sought to be attained by the special construction of drop-cipher devices 109 shown are strength and simplicity of structure and certainty of operation.

As shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the wheel A is formed with a radial opening (1, having practically straight parallel walls 111 m, tangenx05 tial to a circle of which the axis of the shaft is the center, and in the wall m is a small recess m The cipher-block N has one straight wall, 12,

parallel with wall 172 when the block is in its no outer or printing position, Fig. 7, while the opposite wall, 01', is slightly inclined or curved away from the wall m. A lug n on this wall of the block occupies the recess m and belowv the lug the wall n of the blockis curved :15

or inclined toward its lower end, where the block is formed with a tooth or projection 0, adapted to enter the usual undercut groove 1) in the stationary shaft 13. When in the rotation of the wheel the cipher-block is forced 12o outwardly by the surface of the shaft, the outer wall of the recess m serves to limit the movement, and when the block is in printing position, as in Fig. 7, it is held between this wall and the part 0 of the shaft. block is depressed in the usual manner, it moves bodily inward, and the parts m 97. do not constitute a fixed axis about which it rocks. The rocking movement that does occur is about a movable axis located at a point I3: between the opposite Walls m m, and when the block is in its inner position it may rest upon the bottom of the undercut groove in the shaft or be supported by its lugn resting This is effected by The plunger 5 When the against the inner wall of the recess m or it may be supported at both these points. When the wheel is turned back to the printing-line, the inclined projection O interlocks with the undercut part 0 of the shaft, and the cipher is prevented from being drawn out into the printing plane by suction of the platen of the press or otherwise. By the construction shown several advantages are obtained. Thewalls of the radial opening being straight, parallel, and tangential to circle described about the axis of the shaft, a maximum amount of metal is left at the outer edges of the opening and .repeated pressure of the press-platen is not liable to break them down, and combined with this feature is the cipher-block having the structure and behavior described and which does not requirevery accurate fitting or particular care in finishing, hand-labor.

and the block is formed with a flange 0 which rests on the upper edge 0 of the wall of the wheel when the cipher is dropped.

In both Figs. 7 and 11 the recess m is circular in shape. This form is adapted for economy of manufacture. A circular aperture is drilled in the wheel, and when the radial opening, Fig. 7, or radial recess or opening, Fig. 11, is milled out the cut re moves one-half of the circular aperture, leaving the semicircular recess.

We claim as our invention-- 1. The combination with the frame of a typographic numbering-machine, of a looselyseated side piece movable vertically and detachable from the frame, but held against longitudinal or lateral displacement.

2. The combination with the frame of a typographic numbering-machine, of a looselyseated side piece, consisting of a thin metal plate having inturned inclined flanges engaging undercut grooves in the frame, whereby thelplate may be raised and lowered vertically but is held against longitudinal or lateral displacement.

3. The combination with the wheels and frame of a typographic numbering-machine,

of a vertically-moving plunger operatively' connected therewith, a bolt engaging the plunger and limiting its upward-movement and the printing form inwhich it may be locked 1 with type contiguous to its sides.

4. The combination with the frame and Wheels of a typographic numberingmachine, of a vertically-moving plunger for actuating the wheels, a bolt sliding horizontally in ways at the top of the frame and engaging the.

and vertically-movable plunger of a typo- I grapic numbering-machine, of a plunger-retainingdeviceacessibleformanipulation from above the frame while it is locked in a form with contiguous type, for the purpose set forth. I

6. The combination with the frame of a typographicnumbering-machine,ofaverticallymoving plunger, a plunger-retaining bolt, and devices for automatically shooting the bolt home when the plunger is depressed.

7. The combination with the frame of a typographic nu mbering-machine, of a verticallymoving plunger, a laterally-slidingbolt adapted to engage the plunger, and a lug on the bolt acted upon by the head of the plunger to engage the bolt and plunger.

8. The combination with the frame of a typographic numbering-machine, of the vertically-moving plunger, its recessed head, a horizontally-sliding bolt, and a lug on the bolt adapted to enter the recess in the head.

9. The combination with the frame of a typographic numbering-machine, of the vertically-moving plunger, the bolt mounted in ways at the top of the casing and adapted to engage the plunger, and projecting from the top of the belt a lug having an inclined end and adapted to enter a recess in the under face of the head of the plunger.

10. The combination with the shaft having an undercut groove therein of a numberingwheel having a radial cipher-block opening with substantially straight and substantially parallel walls tangent to a circle described.

about the axis of the wheel and one of which has a recess therein, of a drop-cipher block having a lug on one side loosely fitting in said recess and of less width, radially, than the recess, and at its inner end an inclined or undercut projection, one side of the block being inclined from the lug thereon toward the axis of the wheel,'and the other fitting closely against the wall of the opening when the block is in printing position,whereby the block can rock in a plane transverse to the axis of the wheel.

11. The combination with the shaft having an undercut groove therein of a numberingwheel having a radial cipher-block opening too with one substantially straight wall that is tangent to a circle described about the axis of the wheel, and a recess in the opposite wall, of a drop-cipher block fitted to rock in said opening in a plane transverse to the 7 radially, than the recess, and at its inner end an inclined or undercut projection, the side of the block opposite that carrying the lug fitting closely against the said substantially straight Wall of the opening.

12. The combination with the shaft having an undercut groove therein of a numberingwheel having a radial cipher-block opening partly closed at one side of the wheel and having one substantially straight wall that is tangent to a circle described about the axis of the wheel, and a recess in the opposite wall, of a drop-cipher block fitted to rock in said opening in a plane transverse to the wheel-axis and having a lug on one side FRANK \V. \VIOHT. CHARLES SPIELMANN.

\Vitnesses:

HARRY G. BAUMANN, RUDOLPH SPIELMANN. 

